Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors

Golden State improved its winning streak to six games, defeating the Pelicans, 131-121 on Wednesday. The Warriors have averaged 132.5 points per game during this winning streak, which is the highest scoring average by any team in a six-game single season span since the 90-91 Trail Blazers (137.3 PPG).

The Timberwolves have won two straight games, both scoring and allowing at least 120 points in each game. It's the first time in franchise history that the team has won two straight games when allowing at least 120 points in each game.

Golden State won two of three against Minnesota last season, but the Timberwolves won the most recent game between these teams, 109-103, in March. The Warriors have won four straight home games against the Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 31 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the aforementioned win over Golden State. In 10 career games against the Warriors, Towns has seven double-doubles, and he has averaged 22.6 points and 11.5 rebounds per game on 52.6 percent shooting.

Stephen Curry has drained 55 three-pointers this season, shattering his own previous record of 44 set in 2015-16 through nine team games in a season. Curry is the only player in NBA history to make at least 55 three-pointers in any nine-game span -- he has done so in nine different nine-game spans.

Kevin Durant has averaged 27.8 points per game in his career against the Timberwolves, the highest mark by any player ever against Minnesota (min. 20 games). Durant averaged 33.5 points in the two games he played against the Timberwolves last season.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The highest scoring guard in the NBA on Wednesday night will be performing at the Minnesota Timberwolves-Golden State Warriors game on Friday and, no, it's not the league's leading scorer, Stephen Curry.

Nor, for that matter, is it record-setting 3-point marksman Klay Thompson.

Rather, it'll be the Timberwolves' Derrick Rose who carries that distinction after a 50-point explosion in Wednesday's 128-125 overtime win over Utah.

Now the question becomes: Can Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau squeeze him into Friday's lineup?

The Timberwolves might experience an embarrassment of riches at the guard spot for their game against the Warriors, with Jimmy Butler expected to rejoin the team after resting on Wednesday.

It's also possible that Jeff Teague, who missed Wednesday's game with a sore knee, could return to face the two-time defending champs.

Rose had never played more than 32 minutes as a backup through seven games before getting a start in the absence of his two guard teammates against the Jazz and putting in 41 minutes.

Thibodeau assured one thing: Butler won't be punished for what some perceived as another indication that he's not happy to still be in Minnesota.

"We knew going in that when you miss training camp like he did, that basically this is his training camp, so there's soreness involved," the coach explained to reporters Wednesday. "We talk to him, see how he's feeling. When he has soreness, there's going to be precautionary rest."

Regardless of who starts in the Minnesota backcourt, they'll have their hands full with Curry and Thompson, both of whom have been in the news already this season.

Curry did Rose one better, pouring in 51 points in a home win over Washington last Wednesday. He has scored 30 or more points in six of the Warriors' nine games.

Thompson, meanwhile, erased Curry's name from an NBA record Monday in Chicago, dropping in 14 3-pointers to eclipse the old mark by one.

"Two great moments, great to be a part of it," Kevin Durant reflected upon Curry's 13 threes in 2016 and Thompson's 14 earlier this week. "To see Steph break the record first two years ago and to see Klay break it. It's only fitting that those two hold the records, hold the most 3-point shots in a game.

"The best shooters to ever walk the earth, and probably nobody will ever shoot like those two ever again."

Statistically, Durant has been a better shooter than both this season, having connected on 55.9 percent of his shots. Curry currently stands at 54.9 percent, and Thompson 43.9.

All three contributed significantly to Wednesday's 131-121 home win over New Orleans on Wednesday in a rematch of last season's Western Conference semifinals. Curry led all scorers with 37 points, Durant added 24 and Thompson 18, with the trio combining to shoot 29-for-54.

The Warriors have won six in a row, scoring 120 or more points in all six. They lead the NBA in points per game (125.0) and field goal percentage (52.4).

The Timberwolves, who have won two straight, came up short on both visits to Oakland last season, giving up 125 and 126 points.